LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12, 2019 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region will close its shelter at the Mason Recreation Center (10500 Mason Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311), effective immediately as all shelter residents have safely returned home or found other accommodations.

The Red Cross will continue to operate its three shelters at the Sylmar Recreation Center, Granada Hills Recreation Center and the Northridge Recreation Center providing a safe place to stay, food, emotional support and health services for the community. The Red Cross is committed to being of service until all residents can safely return to their home and/or begin the process of repairing and rebuilding.

Red Cross Shelters: STILL OPEN

• Sylmar Recreation Center (13109 Borden Ave., Sylmar, CA 91342)
• Granada Hills Recreation Center (16730 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344)
• Northridge Recreation Center (18300 Lemarsh St., Northridge, CA 91325)

Anyone who needs a safe place to go can find open Red Cross shelters at redcross.org/shelter or by downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App.

WILDFIRE SAFETY

The Saddleridge Fire serves as a reminder on the importance of being prepared for disasters big and small. The Red Cross offers these safety steps you should follow:

A wildfire can spread very quickly, leaving you little time to get to safety. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and obey all evacuation orders from officials.

• Back your car into the garage or park it outside, facing the direction of your evacuation route.
• Confine pets to one room, so you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.
• Limit exposure to smoke and dust. Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in.
• Don’t use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves.

Don’t return home until officials say it’s safe to do so.

• Inspect the roof immediately and extinguish any sparks or embers. Wildfires may have left embers that could reignite.
• Check your home for embers that could cause fires. Look for signs of a fire including smoke or sparks.
• Avoid damaged or downed power lines, poles and wires.
• Keep your animals under your direct control. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn them.
• Wet down debris to minimize breathing in dust particles.
• Wear leather gloves and shoes with heavy soles.
• Throw out any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.

For more information and paeparedness tips visit redcross.org/wildfire.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.